| Abaji | |||||||
| Settlement Type: | Local government area | ||||||
| Pushpin Map: | Nigeria | ||||||
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location within Nigeria | ||||||
| Subdivision Type: | Country | ||||||
| Subdivision Name: |  Nigeria | ||||||
| Subdivision Type1: | Territory | ||||||
| Subdivision Name1: | Federal Capital Territory | ||||||
| Leader Title: | Executive chairman | ||||||
| Unit Pref: | Imperial | ||||||
| Area Total Km2: | 948.1 | ||||||
| Module: |
| ||||||
| Population As Of: | 2022 est | ||||||
| Population Total: | 127,900 | ||||||
| Population Footnotes: | [1] | ||||||
| Population Density Km2: | auto | ||||||
| Timezone: | WAT | ||||||
| Utc Offset: | +1 | ||||||
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code | ||||||
| Postal Code: | 905101 | ||||||
Abaji is a local government area in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, Abuja. The Abaji Area Council is the area council farthest from the city center and occupies approximately 1,100 square kilometers. Created in 1986, the council has a population of over 46,600 inhabitants according to a 2006 national census.[2] As a gateway to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abaji is a fast-growing area. There is a notable influx of arrivals, many moving in search of new means of livelihood.[3]
The council includes the land inhabited by the Egbura even though other tribes (Ebiras, Yorubas, Igbos, Bassas, Nupes etc.) can be found in small proportions all over the Area council. The indigenous people are Egbira,Gbagyi and Ganagana people. There is also a notable Hausa population. The first settlers in Abuja are Gbagyi, Bassa, Egbira/Egbura and Tiv people before the Usman Danfodio religious war came to Northcentral, Abuja South. After the kingship throne was won by the Egbira people from the Tiv people, the Egbira ruled the people but allowed the Hausa to be the Imam of the city. Abaji used to be known as Igabazi (meaning: A territory carved by Abazhi). Abaji kingdom headed by the Ona of Abaji (chairman FCT Council of Chiefs), is the oldest traditional institution in Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. The land was formerly under the old Koton Karfe kingdom but agreed to join the Federal Capital Territory for developmental purposes.
The Abaji Council shares common boundaries with the Toto local government area, the Kogi local government area, and the Lapai local government area of the Nasarawa, Kogi and Niger States respectively.[3]
In 2014 the then-Chairman of the Abaji Area Council Hon. Yahaya Garba received an award for the most ethical responsible local government in the FCT, from the Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation.[4] Hon. Abubakar Umar Abdullahi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) became the chairman of Abaji Area Council in the February 12, 2022, chairmanship election of the FCT.[5]
The postal code for the area is 905101.[6]
In the Abaji local government region, farming and trade are highly valued. The Abaji main market serves as a platform for a wide range of goods to be bought and sold.
The Abaji local government region has an average annual temperature of 29 degrees Celsius and a total area of 992 square kilometers. The region experiences two distinct seasons, known as the dry and the wet seasons, with an average humidity of 39%.[7]
The average annual temperature is between 6° and 95°F, with occasional temperatures above or below 57°F.[8] [9]
With an average daily high temperature of 92°F, the hot season spans 2.8 months, from January 26 to April 19. At an average high temperature of 92°F and low temperature of 76°F, April is the hottest month of the year in Abaji. With an average daily maximum temperature below 85°F, the cool season spans 3.5 months, from June 25 to October 8. December is the coldest month of the year in Abaji, with typical highs and lows of 90°F and 65°F, respectively.